These resources and tips will help you provide effective coaching at CoachArt clubs and one-day group lessons.
What to Expect
Addressing Behavior Issues
Preparation for Head Coaches
CoachArt Clubs create unique multi-week experiences where children form a bond with fellow participants while gaining valuable skills in the activity of their choice. Join a CoachArt club and be part of a special team focused on providing chronically ill children and their siblings with enriching athletic experiences in a supportive team environment.
CoachArt’s one-day group lessons provide short-term instructive settings for a group of children to learn a new skill in a supportive social environment.
CoachArt head coaches are responsible for creating curriculum (with support from our staff); procuring lesson materials within budget (CoachArt staff can make purchases or we can reimburse you); leading the activities, set up, and clean up; delegating tasks to assistant coaches; assisting with tracking attendance; reporting any issues to staff; and providing feedback. Head Coaches may receive a stipend for hours worked.
CoachArt assistant coaches support the head coach with set up, clean up, and helping CoachArt kids through the activity at hand. Assistant coaches are always volunteer positions.
Check out our inclusion training handbook.
Budget – CoachArt will provide the volunteer with a budget for lesson materials that fluctuates based on the activity and the number of student-participants. The volunteer has the option to purchase everything and get reimbursed after, or for staff to order the materials for them.
Lesson Materials – The volunteer, has access to the lesson materials located in the office that they can pick up but can also use their budget to purchase other needed items.
Venue – CoachArt staff will work closely with the volunteer to find the appropriate venue space for the group lessons. The location can be accommodated and funded by CoachArt, or the volunteer can suggest a site they are familiar with and can provide.
Volunteer Support – CoachArt staff will recruit volunteers to support you for the entire program. CoachArt staff will let you know if you will be responsible for keeping attendance of your support volunteers. CoachArt staff will be responsible for sending reminders.
Student Recruitment – CoachArt will recruit students to participate in the program. CoachArt staff will let you know if you will be responsible for keeping attendance of your students. CoachArt staff will be responsible for sending reminders.
Most clubs meet once a week for four to eight weeks. A single session typically lasts one to two hours with an additional 30 minutes at the start and end for setup and cleanup. Clubs usually begin with informal student assessment activities, intro activities, and ice breakers. The middle sessions provide progressive learning experiences, and the final session is typically a celebration including a presentation of skills learned, certificates, sometimes food, and always lots of high fives!
Check your email inbox for invites to help out at all of our group programs. If you are interested in creating a new club, reach out to your dedicated Program Manager.
If you’re assigned to be the Head Coach for a CoachArt club or one-day group lesson, this information is for you.
Attendance – As students arrive, greet them, introduce yourself, check them off the attendance sheet, and give them a name tag. Once club begins, ask an assistant coach to take attendance for any late-comers.
Introductions – When you are ready to begin, address all of the students and parents. Give an enthusiastic introduction of yourself and the other volunteers.
Overview – Give an overview of the club i.e This is Art Club! We will be meeting for one hour every Saturday for four weeks. On the last day of club we will have a Gallery Art Show where we invite our friends and family to see the beautiful artwork we have created!
Goals – Share the goals of the club i.e. Our goal is that you improve your dribbling, shooting, and passing skills while having fun and making new friends!
Expectations – Go over the CoachArt Agreements and the Three Opportunity Rule with parents and students.
Icebreaker – Icebreakers are a great way to get to know each other and ease into the days activities.
Team Time – Circle Up! Ask the kids to give thumbs up, sideways, or down to indicate how they are feeling — no explanation needed! Review the day’s objectives.
Play! – Jump into the day’s activities
Check out this collection of icebreaker ideas.
Please print this attendance sheet and track attendance at each session. Give the attendance sheet to your Program Manager at the end of your club or lesson.
We don’t foresee any need to utilize this information, but it is always important to be prepared! Here are some important things to remember:
An incident report may be used for students, parents, volunteers, or staff members. All incident reports must be reviewed with a Program Manager and the Executive Director to determine if further action is needed.
An incident report must be drafted within 24 hours of occurrence. Ideally the report will be completed while all involved parties are still on site.
Download the Incident/Accident Report Form here.
At the close of your club, your Program Manager will reach out to you to collect your attendance records, arrange materials pickup if needed, and debrief you on your experience. Please share stories, photos, and ideas for improvement.